Viv's Travel Tips: Top U.S. Destinations
Posted on 04/01/2021Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the epitome of entertainment in the United States. Combined with the big, bright stars of the desert, this action packed city has always been a bucket list destination for a reason. It doesn’t matter what kind of entertainment you like--- Las Vegas has it all. Thrill rides and water slides, gaming and golf, boutique shopping and incredible relaxation, you name it! Enjoy the warm Nevada sun by stepping out just a little from the city bounds, with a short visit to nearby Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, or Hoover Dam.
Caesar’s Palace is likely the most famous place to stay in Las Vegas, but to step away slightly from the mainstream and get something different, while still enjoying all it has to offer, try out the Nobu Hotel at Caesar’s Palace. With an air of stylish indulgence infused with a blend of traditional Japanese and modern styles, this boutique hotel shines with excellent hospitality. The Rockwell Group, an award-winning architecture and design firm, led the design of the hotel and created interiors that are a pleasure to the senses, showcasing natural materials fused with Nobu’s signature calm elegance. Nobu offers 181 Japanese inspired guest rooms, as well as an upscale Japanese restaurant and lounge.
After such grandeur and late nights in this bustling city, take a day off to take a Morning Maverick Horseback Ride through the scenic wild west. Saddle up for a leisurely ride led by expert wranglers and enjoy the peaceful morning desert. After your expedition, revitalize with a cowboy-style pancake and egg breakfast. Take your revitalization even further knowing that transportation to and from the hotel and the horse ranch is all taken care of.
Orlando
Daring rides, immersive entertainment and face-to-face animal encounters are just some of the adventures waiting for you in Orlando. No matter what your preferred method of fun is, it’s all here in the theme park capital of the world. From the magic of Walt Disney World to the thrills of Universal Orlando, the options are sure to make for the ultimate amount of family fun. There is also a great selection of hotels and resorts here, for every budget.
One hotel to note for its experience in art and music is the AAA Four Diamond Grand Bohemian Hotel, downtown Orlando’s landmark hotel. Italian mosaic tiled ceilings welcome you into a place of true beauty, housing an unprecedented collection of more than 150 rare works of art. Plus, it is just moments from downtown Orlando’s cultural gems, as well as the world-renown theme parks!
If you get a bit queasy on rollercoasters, spend a day in one of central Florida’s natural manatee habitats on a guided cruise and Everglades airboat adventure. Begin with a boat ride on the Crystal River, then snorkel and swim in an area well-known for manatee sightings, before boarding an airboat for a tour of the Withlacoochee River. Visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, one of the best places in the state to watch manatees, as well as other animals, such as bears, panthers, and alligators. Breakfast and a picnic lunch, plus an Orlando-area hotel pickup and drop-off are all included.
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
Miami, perfectly located at the tip of Florida’s Gold Coast, is the ideal vacation spot when it comes to sun, sand, and seriously good entertainment. Miami offers up a variety of attractions, including Little Havana and its authentic Latin food, Bayside Marketplace’s shops and restaurants, and Miami Seaquarium, the world’s largest tropical marine aquarium. Miami is more than movie stars and fancy bars, though. Don’t miss out on the Art Deco district, a National Historic District in Miami.
For a place to stay, you can’t go wrong with the Ritz-Carlton on South Beach. On the city’s most famous beach and just steps from Lincoln Road, this hotel boasts the perfect location on top of it’s famous amenities. The Ritz-Carlton offers a world-class spa, both upscale dining and casually chic oceanfront lounge dining, as well as an elevated outdoor pool with private day beds overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. If you bring your children with you, rest assured knowing there is a supervised oceanfront Ritz Kids program for children ages 5-12. Guests can enjoy being close to the best shopping, nightlife, and views in South Beach, ensuring the ultimate Miami getaway.
After being in a big city, it may feel nice to escape to the wilderness of the Florida everglades. Take an exciting guided nature tour on an airboat ride through the unique ecosystem of the Florida everglades. Enjoy the scenery, learn from the guide’s narration, and look for Florida’s abundant wildlife: alligators, crocodiles, exotic snakes, and more!
Phoenix
Phoenix and Scottsdale offer all of the peace and serenity of the beautiful desert, while providing ample opportunities to shop, dine, and entertain in a high-class environment. Whether at an exceptional luxury resort, chic urban hotel, spa desert hideaway, golf retreat, or affordable bed and breakfast, Phoenix and Scottsdale have a wide range of accommodations so that travelers can check every box on their wish list.
The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is a 500-room resort designed to be an authentic representation of the Gila River Indian Community heritage and culture. Conveniently located just 11 minutes from Phoenix’s international airport on the Gila River Indian Community, this resort offers a rounded recreational, cultural, and inspirational experience.
The architecture, art, and legends of the Pima and Maricopa tribes are celebrated in every detail, indoors and out. Sitting in the Sonoran Desert on an expanse of rugged Arizona landscape where ancient vistas, mountains, and roaming wild horses remain untouched, this resort also offers 36 holes of championship golf. For an even deeper relaxation and rejuvenation, make an appointment at the Forbes Four-Star Aji spa, Arizona's only spa located on a Native American reservation. There, they feature Native American-inspired treatments and Koli, an onsite equestrian center.
A true destination resort, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass offers four restaurants including the signature restaurant Kai, the only AAA Five Diamond/Forbes Five Star dining experience in Arizona. Guests can also enjoy the many swimming pools, complete with cascading waterfalls and a waterslide designed after the ancient Casa Grande Ruins. To get out of the resort, enjoy the nearby Phoenix Premium Outlets, Wild Horse Pass Casino, and Rawhide Western Town.
To get out of the resort for a day, take in the gorgeous views of the Sonoran Desert and feel like you’re floating through the clouds during an exhilarating hot air balloon ride from Phoenix. It will be the perfect way to start your day, complete with a champagne breakfast. Spectacular views over the Phoenix valley will help you to revel in peace, calm, and serenity as the skyline unfolds before you.
Fort Myers
Southwest Florida has the best duality of action and relaxation, where sunny days just keep coming. A good city to use as a home base to explore what this region has to offer is Fort Myers. From there, comb the beaches of Sanibel, Marco and Captiva Islands for seashells. Maybe watch the flamingos and herons catch fish in the mangroves of Charlotte Harbor. Or for some more action, stick around Fort Myers and utilize the numerous shopping centers and tantalizing restaurants.
At JW Marriot Marco Island Beach Resort, you can enjoy discovering this “island within an island.” Kick off your shoes and know that once your feet touch the sand, all your worries will be washed away with the tides. Comfortably stylish, this laid-back resort is nestled on three miles of pristine beaches, the perfect landscape to do nothing but sit back and relax in.
For a chance to do something, though, take an eco-friendly sail with a local, family-run business. Having the satisfaction of knowing you are using a sustainable company will be a bonus on top of the incredible experience. Take a morning YogaSail, a zen-like cruise led by a certified yoga instructor, or a mid-day EcoSail that showcases the animals and plant life that call this area home. For an unforgettable view, take an evening SunsetSail. Watching the sunset from the beach is always nice, but it becomes divine from a boat in the middle of the ocean.
Maui
Maui is truly an enchanting place that makes you feel like you are in paradise. A dormant volcano, endless tropical beaches, supreme golf options, fantastic shopping, and lush, vibrant rainforests make Maui a jewel of the Pacific. The accommodations are just as varied as the landscapes, with anything from charming condominiums to high-end luxurious resorts.
Stay at the villa oceanfront Polo Beach Club in Mailea, Maui. The white sands of Polo Beach will begin to feel like home, with full kitchens, private lanais, a plunge pool and barbeque grills. In addition, the hotel is home to the award-winning Willow Stream Spa, and three swimming pools including an adults-only pool and two lagoon style activity pools connected by a 140 foot water slide! To top it all off, the Polo Beach Club also has a 24 hour fitness center and wellness classes, a supervised Kids Club, and four delicious restaurants.
Whether it is just you, you’re taking a romantic retreat, or having a family vacation, you can’t go wrong with an exciting snorkeling tour to Molokini crater and Turtle Town! Imagine swimming in a sunken volcano that teems with thousands of fish, while accessing your inner child by splashing in the crystal clear water. Cruise out to the crater before jumping in the crystalline waters and scouring the colorful reef. Make a second stop and search for turtles at Turtle Town, or a spot named Coral Gardens. This family-friendly Maui activity is one of the island’s most popular and unforgettable activities.
Key West
The Florida Keys are a string of coral and limestone islands stretching 180 miles southwest from Biscayne Bay, well known for their unique feel. On the keys, it almost feels as if you are vacationing in a different country. The most famous of the keys is Key West, the southernmost point of the continental U.S. On the island, visit the charming Ernest Hemingway home or stop by Old Mallory Square to watch musicians, jugglers, and fire-eaters perform at the end of the day.
For a nice place to stay, check out the Hyatt Centric Key West Resort and Spa. Following a multi-million dollar refresh, the brand incorporates a philosophy of providing intuitive travel experiences that draw upon local offerings and experiences, such as nearby Duval Street, Ernest Hemingway’s Home and Museum, and Mallory Square. Located in historic Old Town, the waterfront resort offers private balconies that have sunset views right out of a movie. Amenities will wow you, with moleskin journals, eco-friendly bath products, authentic Cuban coffee, and novels by Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams that accentuate Key West’s unique history.
Escape to the secluded islands and tropical beaches off the coast of Key West with a guided, full-day adventure to historic Dry Tortugas National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike will love this unique day trip, where half of the fun is getting there! Sail there aboard the Yankee Freedom III, a state-of-the-art catamaran. Enjoy snorkeling in the crystal blue waters and once ashore, take in the military fort, national park, and campground. Snorkel around the park’s coral reef with ocean life such as dolphins and sea turtles, and take in the magic.
To experience any of these trips, destinations, hotels, or activities, contact us at travelsbydonna@knology.net to start your booking!
Cover photo by Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash